You don’t have to be a beekeeper to use beeswax. While our friend does have an abundance on hand as a beekeeper, I’ve found you can purchase this amazing substance online. Once you have it on hand, you’ll find lots of uses for it.
This natural product can be used in many of my DIY recipes for everything from soap to lotion bars. Beeswax uses don’t stop at DIY skincare recipes though!
Beeswax is Amazing
It’s one of those rare natural ingredients with endless versatility. Made by worker bees through wax glands on the underside of their abdomens, beeswax is secreted as tiny wax scales and used to construct the hive’s honeycomb.
While bees need it to store pounds of honey, you can also find hundreds of possible uses for leftover beeswax in your home.
Whether you’re sourcing it from local beekeepers or a pound of beeswax from a craft store, this natural product is a great alternative to paraffin wax or plastic-based goods.
Table of contents
20+ Smart and Creative Ways to Use Beeswax
In this post, we’ll walk you through 20+ creative and practical ways to use beeswax using simple ingredients like coconut oil, essential oils, and natural butters.
These are great ideas for anyone interested in DIY crafts, natural living, or learning beekeeping basics. Let’s dive in
Home & Lighting
1. Homemade Beeswax Candles
Making your own beeswax candles is a great way to reduce reliance on synthetic paraffin wax and enjoy cleaner air in your home.
Use wax flakes or chunks of melted wax in a double boiler, add a cotton or hemp wick (choose the right type of wick for your container), and pour into jars or special molds. Add essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus for fragrance.
2. Beeswax Tapers and Pillars
Using special molds, you can shape melted wax into elegant tapers or rustic pillars. This is a simple process that makes a huge difference in ambiance, especially during the winter months.
3. DIY Fire Starters
Combine melted beeswax with dryer lint, cotton rounds, or pinecones to create all-natural fire starters. Pour small amounts of wax over the materials placed in a muffin tin. Once cool, they’re ready for your next time around the fire pit or camping trip.
Skincare & Beauty
4. DIY Beeswax Lip Balm
A great recipe for your own lip balm includes equal parts beeswax, coconut oil, and sweet almond oil or jojoba oil. Melt them together using a double boiler, stir in essential oils, then pour into small tins or tubes.
5. Lotion Bars and Body Butters
Lotion bars are a fantastic way to hydrate dry skin naturally. Mix melted wax with shea butter and cocoa butter. Pour into molds and let cool to room temperature. Rub the bar directly on skin for a protective layer.
6. Natural Deodorant
Make your own with a mix of melted wax, coconut oil, baking soda, and essential oils like tea tree or lavender. A nice thing about this DIY deodorant is that you can adjust it for sensitive skin by reducing baking soda.
7. Healing Salves
Beeswax is a great ingredient in herbal salves for minor cuts or fungal skin infections. Use infused oils like calendula or comfrey, with the melted wax, and store them in small jars.
Kitchen & Food Storage
8. Beeswax Wraps
One of the most popular zero-waste swaps! Make your own reusable food wrap by melting beeswax and brushing it onto cotton fabric with a clean cloth. Let it dry, and you’ve got a great alternative to plastic wrap.
9. Coating Cheese
Preserve hard cheeses with a layer of melted beeswax. Dip the cheese block into melted wax, cool, and repeat to build up a protective layer. Great for aging cheeses.
10. Season Wooden Utensils
Rub a mix of beeswax and mineral oil or olive oil into your wooden cutting board or utensils. Let it absorb, then buff with a clean cloth. Keeps them in good condition and water-resistant.
Crafts & DIY
11. Thread Conditioner
Run your thread over a small block of beeswax to prevent tangling. It’s especially helpful when working with fine thread or embroidery floss.
12. Leather Conditioner
Melt equal parts beeswax, coconut oil, and olive oil to condition leather boots, bags, or belts. It’s a natural alternative to chemical-laden commercial products.
13. Lubricate Wood Screws and Drawers
Rub wax on the threads of wood screws or on sticking drawers to make them glide smoothly.
14. Encaustic Painting
This ancient art form involves mixing beeswax with pigments. Heat the wax and paint on rigid surfaces like wood panels.
Cleaning & Maintenance
15. Beeswax Furniture Polish
Mix beeswax with olive oil for a DIY polish that makes wooden furniture shine and helps repel dust. Buff with a paper towel or clean cloth.
16. Rust Prevention for Tools
Rub a thin layer of on metal tools to prevent rust. Store in a dry area and reapply as needed.
17. Waterproofing Fabric
Waterproof canvas bags, jackets, or tents. Rub on, heat with a hairdryer, then smooth with a cloth.
Garden & Outdoors
18. Grafting Wax for Trees
Use melted as a grafting wax to seal grafts and cuts on fruit trees. It protects against disease and moisture.
19. Label Protection in the Garden
Coat your handwritten plant markers in the wax to weatherproof them against rain and sun.
20. Beekeeping Repairs
Use clean beeswax to repair honeycomb or coat wooden frames. It supports your bee colony’s needs and reduces waste.
More Creative Uses
21. DIY Crayons – Combine beeswax with soap shavings and food-safe pigments.
22. Soap Making – Add beeswax for hardness and a creamy lather.
23. Shoe Polish – Buff with beeswax for shine and protection.
24. Waterproof Matches – Dip match heads in melted wax to keep them dry.
25. Scented Wax Sachets – Pour melted wax into molds with dried herbs and essential oils.
Tips for Working with Beeswax
- Always use a double boiler or place a heatproof bowl over a pot of water to melt wax safely.
- Clean up melted beeswax using hot water and paper towels before it hardens.
- Use a solar wax melter if you have a small space and sunny climate—it’s the best way to clean raw wax sustainably.
- Buy from local beekeepers to support small-scale producers.
From making your own lip balm to waterproofing garden gear, beeswax is a powerful natural ingredient with endless practical uses.
With just a pound of wax and a few simple ingredients, you can replace many commercial products in your home. Tap into your inner Martha Stewart and explore the many ways to use this powerhouse in daily life. It’s a great way to make eco-conscious choices and reduce waste.
References
Wellness Mama. 15+ Creative Ways to Use Beeswax (& Benefits)
